They were gone. Out of the house, at least. Morrigan’s curse, I hated being among folk! Noble folk in particular; their pretensions were like a burr in the clothing, a constant, scratching annoyance. Even their serving folk had airs and graces. Just as well I wouldn’t be tending to Lady Flidais in the future. There’d no doubt be some court physician in Prince Oran’s residence to look after her kind. The ordinary folk I could just about tolerate, in small doses.

The house was mine again, at least until Grim got home, and he knew how to keep out of my way. I tidied up and put the kettle back on, thinking to sit in the quiet until he returned. Dimly I heard horses outside, voices, folk moving about. They’d be away soon; I might go out then, and see if the garden had sustained any damage from the tide of uninvited guests. Grim would be less than pleased to lose any of his new plantings.

Someone knocked on the door. Bollocks! Why couldn’t these folk leave me be?

I was inclined to wrench the door open and snarl in the face of whoever it was. I took a breath, then walked over and opened it with restraint.

A man stood there, tall, russet-haired, youngish, dressed like a courtier. Vaguely familiar.

‘Mistress Blackthorn?’ he enquired.

Fool. Who else would it be? ‘I am Blackthorn, yes.’

‘My name is Donagan. I am Prince Oran’s companion.’

Ah. I’d caught a glimpse of him that day when I’d fled into the wood and left Grim to deal with our unexpected visitors. The memory did not bring warm feelings.

‘The prince has asked me to thank you for your assistance to Lady Flidais and her party. He wishes to compensate you for your services.’ On his palm, he held out a little drawstring bag in pale kidskin.

I wanted to refuse it. Why, I wasn’t sure. Stubborn pride? The knowledge that I had only helped because of the promise? My dislike of chieftains and princes and fine ladies? I opened my mouth to deliver a withering retort, and at that moment I saw Grim approaching along the path, his pace easy.

‘Thank you,’ I said, taking the little bag. I almost dropped it – the thing weighed twice as much as I’d expected. Grim would indeed have thought me foolish if I had told the prince’s lackey to keep his money. ‘I wish I had arrived in time to save the woman who was drowned. When I got to the pool she was already gone.’

‘So the men-at-arms told us,’ Donagan said. ‘Still, Prince Oran appreciates your kindness to the lady. He passed on his regret that he could not thank you in person.’